KUWAIT CITY, March 23: As Ramadan progresses and Eid Al-Fitr approaches, the tailoring market in the country is witnessing a surge in demand as both citizens and expatriates -- from the young people to the elderly -- are eager to have ‘dishdashas’ tailored for the occasion. Women and girls are not left behind, as many of them are prefer custom-made ‘abayas’ and other outfits due to the generally poor quality of ready-made clothing available in the market. The newspaper interviewed several tailor shop owners who confirmed that while prices have not increased remarkably compared to last year, they still vary from shop to shop. However, many customers have reported significant issues with tailors, particularly regarding inconsistent timelines, which are especially problematic during the busy holiday season.

Tailoring prices have seen an increase of 15 to 20 percent this year. Abdullah Al-Azmi shared that he always ensures ‘dishdashas’ are made for himself and his children before the middle of Ramadan. While he noted that tailoring prices have not gone up, he expressed concern about the rise in fabric costs, which have increased by at least 20 percent compared to last year. Bouali also reported disagreeing with his tailor due to delays. “Despite providing the tailor with multiple appointments after measurements were taken on the 10th day of Ramadan, the ‘dishdashas” were not ready on the agreed date,” he revealed; confirming that prices have risen by at least 15 percent compared to previous years.

Jamal Abdulrahman, an expatriate, emphasized the importance of tailoring ‘dishdashas’ as Eid approaches. He needs at least seven ‘dishdashas’ made before returning home, but he noted a worsening issue -- the scarcity of tailors in Kuwait. “With fewer tailors available in shopping malls, the remaining shops are facing increased pressure,” he disclosed. Joby Keeton, a tailor, explained that ‘dishdasha’ tailoring is always in demand, especially before Eid Al-Fitr and Eid Al-Adha, as well as during the change of seasons. Nevertheless, he affirmed that fabric prices have remained consistent, as most of his customers are low-income.

Tailor Shehab Sadou observed that Kuwaitis are particularly selective about fabric quality. Despite a slight increase in fabric prices, he stated that it has not affected his customers significantly, as they are known for their sense of style and preference for the finest materials. Sadou said the cost of tailoring starts at KD5, with fabric prices varying depending on quality. “Premium winter fabrics can cost up to KD10 per meter, while lighter summer fabrics start from KD1 and could go higher based on quality,” he added.

Saadoun Saeed, another tailor, pointed out that while tailoring prices have remained stable; fabric prices have risen by 10 to 15 percent due to an increase in the cost of producing high-quality fabrics. “Many Kuwaiti customers prefer imported fabrics from Japan, England and France; while a smaller and more budget-conscious group opts for Chinese fabrics. For expatriates, fabrics from South Korea, India, Pakistan and China remain the more affordable options. Abdul Nasser, a tailor, attributed this year’s fabric price hike to increased shipping cost. He pointed out that European fabrics have seen a 10 percent price increase compared to last year, and that some tailors have been charging customers excessively. “The tailoring rush during Ramadan led to delays, with many customers experiencing longer-than-expected wait times for their ‘dishdashas’,” he revealed. Nour Abu Maryam, another tailor, stated that the tailoring market is more vibrant than ever, with customers frequently opting for custommade ‘dishdashas’ instead of ready-made one

By Najeh Bilal
Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff